Hazop

A Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) is a risk assessment method used to identify potential hazards and operability problems in a system or process. Risk assessment involves identifying hazards, analyzing and evaluating the risk associated with each hazard, and determining appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated. [1]

Here are general guidelines and risk assessment procedures:

1. Assemble a Risk Assessment Team: Assessments should be done by a competent person or team of individuals who have a good working knowledge of the situation being studied.
2. Select the Job or Process to Assess: Risk assessments should be done for all jobs. Jobs or tasks with higher injury and illness rates, worker concerns, and other factors should be considered first.
3. Break Down the Job or Process into Tasks: Divide the job or process into tasks or basic steps to better understand the hazards.
4. Identify the Hazards of Each Task: List the hazards based on observations and inspections, previous causes of incidents and injuries, feedback from workers and supervisors directly involved in the task, and other considerations.
5. Assess the Risk of Each Hazard: Determine the likelihood of harm, such as an injury or illness occurring, and its severity.
6. Control the Risk of Each Hazard: Using the hierarchy of controls, identify the actions necessary to eliminate the hazard or control the risk.
7. Evaluate the Effectiveness of Controls: Establish a review process for monitoring controls to ensure they remain effective.
8. Communicate the Results: Workers, supervisors, and other individuals involved with the job or process being assessed should be aware of the risk assessment results.

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